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Judging the promotion of alcohol in the corridors of the Paris metro contrary to the preventive message dedicated to young people, four health associations challenge Jean Castex, Chairman and CEO of the RATP, in an open letter. They announce to file a complaint.
“The associations never again want to see the promotion of alcohol on the way of schoolchildren and the youngest, in the corridors of the metro and on the buses of the RATP!” In a scathing letter published on April 19, France Assos Santé, the National League Against Cancer, the National Union of Family Associations (UNAF) and the National Federation of Friends of Health (FNAS) directly target Jean Castex, who has become president- director general of the RATP for the use of advertising promoting alcohol on bus shelters and in the corridors of the metro, in full view of all, especially young people.
Children and teenagers surrounded by alcohol advertisements
According to the letters from the associations, an advertising campaign carried out from December 2022 to January 2023 would be particularly contrary to the necessary prevention of a public under construction sometimes tempted to drink.
“Schoolchildren, middle and high school students and students in Paris using the metro have been subjected to an aggressive campaign of 4m/4m billboards promoting hard liquor and wine at the table or small balloon, delivering a dangerous message, happiness comes through alcohol; alcohol is a party, the little balloon is a Christmas present, this is what was imprinted in their young brains in the corridors of the metro.
A reproached choice even though the slightest visual reference to tobacco has disappeared in the advertisements displayed on its walls.
As the associations are keen to point out in their letter, the subject is not as light as the wall advertisements may lead one to believe.
“Alcoholism is a long-lasting addiction that destroys human beings, their families and society. It destroys the health, the work, the psyche of those who consume it as well as the life of those around them, or of third parties. It is a procession of chronic diseases and serious accidents, it is 41,000 premature deaths each year, including 30,000 deaths among men and 11,000 among women. This includes 16,000 deaths from cancer, 9,900 deaths from cardiovascular diseases and 6,800 digestive diseases” they support.
The letter also recalls that fetal alcohol syndrome affects around 1,000 children a year in France, and that alcohol is responsible for people who have road or work accidents, are killed or are permanently disabled.
Associating the gesture with the word, the collective of associations announces to declare a war on a cynical promotion in defiance of the Evin law: “As of today, France Assos Santé, the National League Against Cancer, the National Union of Family Associations (UNAF) and the National Federation of Friends of Health (FNAS) are filing a complaint against the promoters of this campaign. of pro-alcohol posters that young Parisians and Ile-de-France residents suffered during the end-of-year celebrations and which continued in the middle of dry January, a real contempt for those who work to reduce the damage caused by alcohol. ”
They also plan to appeal to the parliamentarians responsible.
Slide: 10 signs that show you have a problem with alcohol